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The latest Xfinity streaming app works fine on Android TV — here's how to sideload it
Because for some stupid reason it's still not available on the Play Store
Hey Comcast, y'all should really just publish your TV app on the Play Store already. This weird stuff, limiting it to Sony TVs or Amazon's Fire TV platform, just isn't cool. People are paying you a lot (just, a LOT) to watch TV, you should let them watch it on whatever gadget they want! Or else they'll find ways to do it themselves. For example, taking the Fire TV APK and uploading it to a third-party hosting site, then installing it on an Android TV device like the SHIELD.
Nvidia isn't updating the Shield TV to Android 10 because it's not different enough
But that doesn't mean future updates aren't in the works
For years, if you wanted to get Android running on the biggest screen in your home, the Nvidia Shield TV was your best option. Cheaper devices like last year's Chromecast and Walmart's recent Onn streaming box are finally available on the market, but the Shield has kept some of the exclusive benefits that helped make it a fan favorite. If you've been waiting for an update to Android 10, you'll want to stop holding your breath — though that doesn't mean the Shield's future is uncertain.According to a forum post published by Nvidia last month, the company has chosen to skip Android 10 for its streaming boxes altogether, leaving the lineup stuck on Android 9 for the time being (via 9to5Google). That's not to say development for the Shield has ceased, however. Here's Nvidia's full statement from its forums:
The Nvidia Shield TV is back on sale, in case you missed it the first time around
Take advantage of a rare discount
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Before the launch of last year's Chromecast with Google TV, the Nvidia Shield TV was far and away the best Android-based streaming box you could buy — and arguably, it still is. Nvidia has built a strong, passionate fan base with this gadget, which is probably why it doesn't go on sale all that often. Right now, you can grab the Shield TV at a rare discount from Amazon, Best Buy, or B&H.Although $130 may not sound like a significant discount over the usual MSRP, it's actually within $5 of the all-time low on Amazon. Seriously, this thing never goes on sale, which makes it a perfect time to scoop one up if you're interested. Despite costing more than twice the price of Google's latest Chromecast, it features excellent 4K AI upscaling and a better processor. Nvidia's services like GameStream and GeForce Now make it a bona fide gaming hit once paired with a controller. And with a built-in microSD card slot for storage expansion, you can load it up with as many apps and games as you want.
How to install Google Photos on Android TV (and why you shouldn't)
It's mostly just a good way to back up screenshots
Google Photos isn't available on Android TV, and for good reason. As long as you can cast any photo or video from your phone to your TV, you don't really need the full app to be installed on the latter. However, there are a few reasons why you might want to get the proper Photos app installed and for that, we have this tutorial. It's a very convoluted process, especially if you own a Chromecast with Google TV (but much less so if you own an NVIDIA Shield), and you're better off not wasting your time with it unless you really need it.
SHIELD TV users are mad as hell, and they're taking it out on the Play Store
The Android TV Home listing has been bombed down to 1 star
Google is an advertising company. Most of its products make money either by serving up ads, or by collecting data to make those ads more effective. But throwing ads into a product that people pay actual money for is something that they tend to feel pretty passionate about — just ask Samsung. So when Google started serving up advertisements via the Android TV Home interface, it didn't take a genius to guess what would happen next.
Android TV is doing some last-minute prep work for this week's arrival of Stadia support
You'll have to wait until Wednesday to actually play anything
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If you've owned a Chromecast with Google TV since last fall's launch, your long wait for Stadia is nearly over. Despite having been on the market for nearly a year and a half now, Stadia still isn't officially playable on Android TV — but that's changing, and soon. Earlier this month, Google announced that there'd be an official Stadia client up and running on Android TV on June 23rd, but if you're really impatient, you can get the app pre-installed on your device right now.Starting June 23rd, Stadia will be available for download on any Android TV device. Similar to early mobile support, only a handful of devices are officially supported, but the list includes several of the most popular Android TV dongles, boxes, and sets. If you're using one that's not on the list, you can still download the app and enable "experimental support" to play, but Google warns it might not be an ideal experience.Here's the full list of devices that'll be fully supported out of the gate:
Nvidia Shield TV is getting a Google TV-like facelift
With an emphasis on a̶d̶s̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶w̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶m̶o̶v̶i̶e̶s̶ content discovery
Shield TV devices are widely regarded as some of the best Android TV boxes money can buy. Nvidia's historically been great about software support, too, providing updates for years. A new one is landing today: Shield TV is getting a revamped home screen that looks a bit like the Chromecast with Google TV's.
Samsung is about to kill the SmartThings Link for NVIDIA Shield and original SmartThings Hub
Both will be discontinued at the end of June
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Change is an inevitability in life, and unfortunately for those of us who invest in various product ecosystems, change ultimately means having to upgrade. Right now, Samsung is transitioning to a next-gen platform for its SmartThings smart home system. And while newer devices are coming along for the ride, some older components are going to need to be replaced before they stop working. Samsung's been sharing news of this transition with owners of these devices, including the SmartThings Link USB dongle that lets it integrate with the Nvidia Shield, as well as the original SmartThings Hub.Info was first sent to SmartThings Link owners, including our tipster, via email back in March. Without support for SmartThings Link, Samsung's smart home system won't be able to access the Shield, and vice versa. That's bad news for users who've built their home integration around SmartThings, though that's probably a tiny number of people compared to those who've done the same with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit. Shield's integration with Assistant for voice commands and smart home functionality is extensive.[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/jank0/status/1366429511470903299[/EMBED_TWITTER]Users of the SmartThings Link will also lose direct access to Zigbee and Z-Wave devices. Samsung is offering discounts to some users for a new third-gen SmartThings Hub for their trouble, but there's no indication of when (or if) support for the new API system will come to the Shield.When Samsung first announced word of this transition back in 2020, it mentioned that "select legacy hubs" would also be retired in the pursuit of progress. We've since learned that this means that Samsung's first-generation SmartThings Hub will be shut down alongside the Link dongle at the end of June. Like those users, owners of the Hub are being given the opportunity to upgrade to more modern hardware at a discount.
Apple TV is finally available on all Android TV devices
Now you can decide for yourself if Ted Lasso is overhyped (it's not)
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Although Android TV isn't as popular as Roku or Amazon's Fire TV, access to the Play Store makes it one of the best ways to watch your favorite movies and shows. Up until now, it's been missing a major service from its library, but that all changes starting today. Apple TV is now available on Android TV devices, including the Nvidia Shield TV.
Nvidia Shield update introduces April security patch, support for more controllers
Currently rolling out
If you haven't received it already, expect a new update on your Nvidia Shield device in the form of SHIELD Experience 8.2.3. Although it may not be what you're waiting for, it does bring in a few notable developments apart from the regular bug fixes.
Update your Shield's Plex Media Server app through the Play Store to get it working again
A lot of users seem confused after the latest version didn't automatically install
One of the NVIDIA SHIELD's most impressive capabilities is running a Plex media server, something that isn't usually possible on a streaming set-top box. But some users have had issues with it for the last couple of months, complaining that a lack of updates has broken their home-built video streaming server. There's a straightforward solution: update the Plex server app on the Play Store, since the server won't update itself automatically.
Nvidia Shield TV can now use PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S controllers
The system update also includes security fixes and Control4 home automation support
The Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 started arriving on store shelves a few months ago, but both consoles have been incredibly difficult to find. If you've been lucky enough to score one, or you just have the controllers, here's some extra good news — you can now use your shiny new controller with Nvidia's Android TV boxes.
Pick up Nvidia's 4K Shield TV Pro for just $180 from Amazon ($20 off)
One of the best Android TV experiences around
Your TV is only as good as the streaming dongle attached or built into it. NVIDIA's Shield TV Pro is a great way to upgrade your current setup. It comes with plenty of essential features like Chromecast support and Assistant integration, as well as premium extras such as 4K AI Upscaling and Dolby Vision. Normally retailing for $199.99, Amazon currently has the streaming device on sale for $179.99 — a cool $20 discount.The Shield TV Pro delivers on the streaming standards with access to 4K HDR content from thousands of games and apps via the Play Store. It can run almost anything you can throw at it thanks to Nvidia's Tegra X1+ chip coupled with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage. The included voice remote has backlit buttons, an IR blaster, and a built-in remote control locator that ensures it'll never get lost.
About a year ago, Google started rolling out a more graphical interface for the Play Store on Android TV with focus on content discovery, larger thumbnails, interactive backgrounds, and a modern design. Now, with the new Chromecast having launched with a new Google TV UI, that Play Store is starting to look slightly dated. To keep it fresh, Google is rolling out a minor revamp with a new toolbar, new icons, and some shuffled screens.
Nvidia updates the Shield TV with AI upscaling fixes, stability improvements, and more
The best Android TV box gets even better
Google TV may be the hot new thing, but Nvidia's Shield TV is still one of the most popular Android TV devices out there. We called it the best Android TV box at the time of release, and it's getting even better thanks to a new update rolling out now.
Nvidia Shield TV Pro gets AI upscaling to improve GeForce Now and GameStream graphics (APK Download)
Also, Steam games can be synced to GeForce Now as they are available
We live in a great age for video games where a lot of new stuff's pretty good and all the greats of yore are being remastered for our shiny 4K TVs. But say you're taking advantage of cloud-streamed games and you're really looking for that extra punch of detail? Perhaps it's best to own last year's Nvidia Shield TV Pro — the complementary Nvidia Games app has been updated to enable AI upscaling on the company's GeForce Now and GameStream platforms.
Nvidia releases Shield Experience 8.2, improving AI upscaling for 2019 models and more
The older models get some love here too
The Shield TV is the best Android TV box you can buy. The main reason for this is software support, which exceeds that of any other Android TV device. That continues to be the case today, with the release of Shield Experience 8.2 — the 25th update released since the first Shield TV was launched in 2015, and it's available on every model, including the original.
Chromecast audio streams can now play in the background on Android TV (APK download)
No more interruptions if you go back to your homescreen
Earlier this month, an update to the Chromecast built-in app on Android TV finally brought with it speaker grouping, but it was removed soon after. It turns out this update introduced another feature that went unnoticed until 9to5Google spotted it: Chromecast audio streams no longer need to remain in the foreground to keep playing, they now support background playback.
The new Nvidia Shield TV stick is on sale for $130, $20 off (Update: More stores)
Just in time for coronavirus binge marathons
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- If you prefer buying from other stores, the Shield TV is now on sale at Best Buy, B&H Photo, and a few other retailers.
Nvidia released two new Shield TV devices late last year: a sequel to the existing Shield set-top box, and a new slightly-cheaper streaming stick. The latter usually costs $150, but it has already gone on sale for $130 once. If you missed out on that deal, here's another chance to get the new stick at a lower price.Amazon currently has the Nvidia Shield TV 2019 model for $129.99, a discount of $20 from the usual price. The stick has a Tegra X1+ processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage. There's also a microSD card slot for adding more storage, and an Ethernet jack for a wired network connection. The main differences compared to the larger Shield box is that this unit has less RAM (2GB vs 3GB) and uses 32-bit Android TV to reduce memory usage.
LineageOS drops support for Nexus 6P, Pixel C, and 14 other Oreo devices
Saying goodbye to LineageOS 15.1
LineageOS is the most popular custom ROM around, boasting support for dozens of popular phones. While most new development in the past year has focused on bringing Android 9 Pie to new devices, Lineage has continued to offer an Oreo ROM for older phones, but that option is sadly going away.